It is not uncommon to suffer from sore and tired eyes these days, especially due to prolonged exposure to the computer screen, both at work and at home. Fortunately, there are methods to help you relax them and feel better.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Try Ocular Gymnastics
Step 1. Close your eyes
Do this in an upright position, so as not to risk falling asleep. They must be tightly closed to be able to relax them.
- Keep them closed for a few seconds and then snap them back. Repeat this exercise three to five times in quick succession.
- Once finished, close them again as much as possible and stay in place for a minute. Focus on your breathing to completely relax.
Step 2. Massage them while they are closed
Gently rub them with your fingertips, almost as if you were tickling them. Then, cover them with your palms, totally shielding them from the light. Make sure your hands are clean before doing this and wash them if necessary to avoid the risk of infection.
Massaging your eyes and then keeping them in complete darkness helps a lot to relax them and can give you a great feeling of relief
Step 3. Place your warm hands on it
Keep in mind that the eyes are very sensitive organs, so you don't need a lot of heat to get the right result. Rub your palms against each other to warm them through the friction and then gently place them over your closed eyes. The heat should have a particularly beneficial effect.
Always remember to wash your hands first to prevent the spread of infections. Touching your eyes with dirty hands is one of the fastest ways to get sick
Step 4. Try specific exercises to relax your eyes
There are several and they may not all work for everyone, but by trial and error you can find the right ones for you.
- Try blinking regularly. Practice slamming them every four seconds, particularly if you're in front of the computer, which is very eye-straining.
- Roll your eyes. Close them and rotate them in all directions. This exercise can give a very relaxing feeling, almost like a massage, and helps to stretch the eye muscles.
- Try "visual scanning". If you've spent a lot of time looking at nearby objects, such as your computer, focus on more distant objects for a while. Look towards the corners of the room and pay attention to the details of the environment you are in (this is what is called "scanning" or "scanning").
Method 2 of 2: Try Changing Habits
Step 1. Take a break
If you work a lot on the computer during the day, your eyes may be affected a lot. Staying in front of a screen for a long time strains the eyes a lot; Unfortunately, however, these days it is often difficult to avoid it. Get up and take a walk during your lunch break to allow your gaze to rest on things other than the screen. This will make it easier for you to make it to the end of the day with your eyes less tired than usual.
Take breaks following the "20-20-20" rule: every 20 minutes, look at something at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds
Step 2. Reduce the time you spend in front of the screen
The main culprit for eyestrain is the enormous amount of time that today's society pushes us to spend in front of computers, TVs, mobile phones and other devices with a screen. Finding alternatives (for example, reading a book in its print version instead of on the iPad) would help tremendously.
Some harmful effects of the screen cannot be avoided (for example if you have to use the computer for work), but they can be reduced: try placing the screen lower and using an anti-glare protection to decrease the impact on the eyes
Step 3. Wash your eyes regularly with cold water
Do this in the morning and evening and whenever you feel particularly sore or tired throughout the day. Cold water has a soothing effect and can help you relax them.
An alternative is to apply a cold cucumber slice to both eyes and hold it for 5-10 minutes. The freshness of the cucumber, combined with the opportunity to relax the eyes by keeping them closed, can provide considerable relief
Step 4. See a doctor
If your eyes are constantly strained to the point of interfering with your daily life, go to the doctor. You may have a vision problem or some other medical condition that contributes to the discomfort and / or tension you feel. It's always better to be safe than sorry, so see a doctor to make sure it's nothing serious (or to get treatment if you need it).
